Mon Fernandez says Chot Reyes' instruction for Gilas to shoot in its own goal in the match against Kazakhstan tarnished the achievements of generations of Filipino basketball heroes. Jerome Ascano

BASKETBALL legend Ramon Fernandez hit out at Chot Reyes on Friday for what he termed as a 'disrespectful' and 'shameful' act of instructing Gilas Pilipinas to shoot in its own basket late in a win over Kazakhstan in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Speaking from Cebu where he is now based, Fernandez said he felt ashamed at the sight of Gilas - needing to win by at least 11 points against the Kazakhs but leading by only two points in the dying seconds - making a basket in its own goal in a bid to send the game into overtime.

"That's the lowest of the low," the four-time PBA MVP and many-time national player told Spin.ph on Friday. “Yung ini-utos niya na 'yun, totally lambasted and disrespected ang legacy and the past heroes of Philippine basketball. Nakakahiya yun.”

Reyes later explained that the 'own goal' was the only way allowed by the Asian Games format under the circumstances for Gilas to achieve its goal of making the semifinals, but Fernandez said the act tarnished the achievements of generations of Filipino basketball heroes.

"Yung ginawa niya na pina-shoot sa kalaban, that’s the lowest you can go. That’s a total disrespect for sports. Nabubwisit ako kasi winarak niya whatever gains my generation and the previous generations have done for basketball for the country.

"Sinira lang n'ya with one stupid move shooting the basket in our own goal."

The basket was later nullified by the referees, which Fernandez said reflected Reyes' lack of knowledge of the rules.

"You go to war not knowing the terrain and the armament he’ll use, he doesn’t know the rules of the Asian Games, he doesn’t know the eligibility of shooting in your own basket," the former Toyota star said.

Fernandez, a member of the last all-Filipino team to win the Asian title back in 1973 in Manila, also slammed the Gilas coach for not playing naturalized player Andray Blatche and June Mar Fajardo together more in the Fiba World Cup and for his tirade against Marcus Douthit in the Asian Games.

That Gilas lost several endgame battles was also the coach's fault, Fernandez added.

"The worst dyan, sa loob ng laro, sigawan mo players, pero wag mong iinsultuhin in front of the press and sisihin," said Fernandez, who is now based in Cebu tending to his 'Suka ni El Presidente' business.